Whistler/Blackcomb/Vancouver

[Memo]

So, my friends and I are booking a vacation to Whistler/Blackcomb and Vancouver. My pre-vacation to my European extravaganza :P. We hope to book by Friday at the latest, hopefully sooner (going to talk to a few more travel agents.)

Iternerary is like this:

12/28 - Fly from Texas to Vancouver, BC
- Get to whistler
- Snowboard till 1/3/07

1/3/07 - Go back to Vancouver
- Spend a couple of days in Vancouver sightseeing/partying

1/5/07 - Fly back to Texas

What I'm wondering is if anyone who lives/has been has any tips on hotels, snowboard equipment rental, places to eat, things to do at night and so forth. Currently we're looking to stay at the Whistler Pinnacle hotel.

Also, since we're wanting to check out Vancouver for a day or two, what is a cool hotel in Vancouver and things to do there as well.

Kind of late notice, just like to cover my bases and I remember reading some posts over the years from G|Aers about Whistler being bad ass.

[ray]

So yeah, you're going to snowboard at my favorite mountain.

Hotels: If you guys aren't going to have a car, then pick one of the hotels or lodges that is either in the village or on the shuttle bus route. That will make your life a lot easier since you'll be renting everything.

Ski/Snowboard Rentals:

There are many ski/snowboard rental locations spread all throughout the Whistler/Blackcomb community. Best of all, there are at least 2 places that I can remember that are literally at the base of Whistler Mountain about 50 yards from the gondola and some of the ski lifts.

Commuting around the Village:

There are several free shuttle buses that will take you from stop to stop, mountain to mountain, village to village that operate very regularly. I'm not sure how late they run, so you may want to check online.

Food:

There are two restaurants that I highly recommend. The first is Crepe Montagne which is a small little crepe place that serves all meals. I recommend going there after dinner with your friends to get your dessert. Everything there is delicious and be prepared to wait anywhere from 5-30 minutes for table. There aren't that many tables.

The other restaurant is a steak joint whose name is escaping me right now, but it's right in the heart of the village and has 2 floors. It's got a Texas-style theme to it so it should be pretty easy for you to pick out ;-)

Nightlife:

Garfinkel's is the big club at Whistler. There are a few other bars and clubs in the Whistler villages and since you will be there for New Year's Eve I would expect that it's going to be a rocking no matter where you go! Just in case, I would check to see if you need to make reservations. I have never visited the clubs at Whistler, so I can't really share much else.

Whistler is one of my favorite travel destinations and if I'm lucky enough I'll have my own place there in the future.

I know you're going to have fun up there and I hope you guys get some fresh snow. Some argue that Whistler is the best skiing in the world. It's certainly been the best for me!

[Memo]

Thanks for the tips Ray. I'll definitely check out those restaurants and look into the shuttles.

[Memo]

Ah man, one of my friends work told him today he has to fly to Austria during our planned vacation :cry:

[ray]

Go without him!

[Jeffbx]

Am I the only geek who thought Memo was asking about code named Microsoft products?

[kimchicowboy]

i love whistler! i went there for an ice climbing thing and the snow is AMAZING. i've gone snowboarding in CA and VT and it rocks any place i've been to.

[Napoleon54]

Am I the only geek who thought Memo was asking about code named Microsoft products?

:stupid:

Anyone planning a trip to Longhorn anytime soon? :P